Other names/Nicknames:
- None
Country/Date of origin:
- Great Britain
- 1700′s
Height:
- Females: 18 to 21 inches
- Males: 19 to 22 inches
Weight:
- 30 to 44 pounds
Personality:
- One-person dogs that are intensely loyal and protective.
- Super intelligent and trainable.
- Does not tend to wander and doesn’t like owner to wander off property either.
- Reserved with strangers
- Needs room to run.
- Becomes hyperactive if not give exercise daily.
History:
The early history of England’s working-stock dog is obscure. It is known that it was in its present form by the 18th century. This is a breed that is first and foremost a working animal. Although it was a pet in Victorian England, most of the bloodlines were selectively bred for herding abilities and intelligence rather than looks. In the sheep-raising countries of Australia and New Zealand, it reigns supreme in both numbers and prestige. In 1995, it was accepted for registry in the American Kennel Club (AKC) stud books.
Body Type:
- A medium-sized, working dog that is slightly longer than it is tall.
- The long tail, carried low, is not altered.
- Semi-erect or erect ears are not altered.
Coat:
- Medium-length, double coat is water resistant.
- Coat is longer around the neck forming a ruff.
- Allowed colors are black, blue, chocolate, red, blue merle, black and tan, with or without white markings. White, however, should not predominate.
- Moderate grooming required.
Health and Wellness:
- Hip dysplasia.
- Congenital deafness.
- Collie-eye anomaly.
- Cryptorchidism.
- Progressive retinal atrophy.
What you should know:
- The superstar of obedience competitions, it seems to know what you want even before you do.
- This breed tends to nip at heels of joggers and cyclists. It also challenges cars, a trait that gets it into trouble from time to time.
- Most of the billion sheep in the world are watched over by Border Collies. It is the working sheepdog of choice almost everywhere.
